Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. Fine silver, is 99.9% pure silver, is relatively soft, so silver is usually alloyed with copper to increase its hardness and strength to produce more durable jewellery.

Rhodium Plated and Coating

Rhodium is very expensive metal. Rhodium plated is the best way to prevent tarnish and discolour of jewellery. It looks brighter, shiny and increases the beauty of silver jewellery. Now, most silver jewellery is available with coating and plating for the quality of jewellery.

Reason for Tarnish or blackish of silver

The principal sterling silver alloy, 92.5% Ag-5.7% Cu, has been used for silverware and jewellery since the 14th century. Alloying with copper strengthens silver and allows it to be used for these items, but it has always been susceptible to tarnishing.

Tarnishing is a surface discoloration and mainly results from the formation of silver sulfide, Ag2S. Tarnish is generally caused by a reaction of sulfur, either from the surrounding air or perspiration that reacts with silver to form Ag2S.

Several species other than silver sulfide can also be found on tarnished surfaces. These include sulfate, chloride, oxide, organic carbon, and oxygenated organic carbon species and a carbonate or carbonyl present in the powder, perfumes, salts and others beauty products.

Reflecting this importance, many attempts have been made over the years to develop tarnish-resistant alloys that meet the 92.5% silver purity standard which is required if the alloy is to be called “sterling silver.” Some of these have reached limited commercialization, but all add cost and complicate the manufacturing process for sterling silver. The organic coating, E-coating, polishing, and alloy of silver with other metal are the major methods using to prevent jewellery.

Jewellery Care

Avoid direct contact with sweat to jewellery.

Remove jewellery before take bath.

Avoid sleeping with jewellery.

Avoid crash of jewellery.

Avoid Chemical present in the powder, perfumes, deodorant and other beauty products.

Silver can balance other elements in our body, so it is very important to our health.

It keeps our blood vessels elastic and it is important for bone formation and healing, skin formation and repair.

Some studies show that silver rings can reduce the symptoms of arthritis.

Silver has excellent antibiotics and sterilization effect. It has a toxic effect on some bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Silver can send out vessel heat quickly, so we can see that the silver has the great effect on the prevention of some diseases.

Silver has toxicity function, which can change the colour of the silver. When silver meets some toxic substance, it will turn into black or other colours. So you can use silver to examine whether the substance is toxic or not.